Subject: Beer Carrying Spitfires

[vernon11]

In the lighter moments of World War II, the Spitfire was used in an unorthodox role: bringing beer kegs to the men in Normandy.

During the war, the Heneger and Constable brewery donated free beer to the troops. After D-Day, supplying the invasion troops in Normandy with vital supplies was already a challenge. Obviously, there was no room in the logistics chain for such luxuries as beer or other types of refreshments. Some men, often called "sourcers", were able to get wine or other niceties "from the land" or rather from the locals. RAF Spitfire pilots came up with an even better idea.

The Spitfire Mk IX was an evolved version of the Spitfire, with pylons under the wings for bombs or tanks. It was discovered that the bomb pylons could also be modified to carry beer kegs. According to pictures that can be found, various sizes of kegs were used. Whether the kegs could be jettisoned in case of emergency is unknown. If the Spitfire flew high enough, the cold air at altitude would even refresh the beer, making it ready for consumption upon arrival.

A variation of this was a long range fuel tank modified to carry beer instead of fuel. The modification even received the official designation Mod. XXX. Propaganda services were quick to pick up on this, which probably explains the "official" designation.


Mod. XXX tank being filled.


As a result, Spitfires equipped with Mod XXX or keg-carrying pylons were often sent back to Great-Britain for "maintenance" or "liaison" duties. They would then return to Normandy with full beer kegs fitted under the wings.

Typically, the British Revenue of Ministry and Excise stepped in, notifying the brewery that they were in violation of the law by exporting beer without paying the relevant taxes. It seems that Mod. XXX was terminated then, but various squadrons found different ways to refurbish their stocks. Most often, this was done with the unofficial approval of higher echelons.

In his book "Dancing in the Skies", Tony Jonsson, the only Icelancer pilot in the RAF, recalled beer runs while he was flying with 65 Squadron. Every week a pilot was sent back to the UK to fill some cleaned-up drop tanks with beer and return to the squadron. Jonsson hated the beer runs as every man on the squadron would be watching you upon arrival. Anyone who made a rough landing and dropped the tanks would be the most hated man on the squadron for an entire week.


The Spitfire had very little ground clearance with the larger beer kegs.


In his book "Typhoon Pilot", Desmond Scott also recalls Typhoon drop tanks filled with beer but regretted that it acquired a metallic taste.

Less imaginative techniques involved stashing bottles wherever space could be found on the aircraft, which included the ammunition boxes, luggage compartment or even in parts of the wing, with varying results. Champagne bottles in particular did

[Dusty Eagle]

Hi Vernon.

Thanks for a great read. Here's a few pics of the frosties/frothies depending how high they flew and how rough they landed.

[vernon11]

Dusty Eagle.
Thanks for the pics. If one just heard that sort of story in the pub, the natural response would in all likelyhood be, Bull Sh#t.

[Tailspin]

Not on the same subject but it has to do with a Spitfire none the less.

The German ----------- Interesting and unique flying



Short film: THE GERMAN

Incredible four minute footage of a desperate Spitfire vs. ME-109 dual. Great computer work blended in with real photography.
Also an interesting factual story that most of us did not know. History is rarely 'over'.
Sit back and strap on your parachute harness ... it is the Summer of 1940 over the skies of England. Listen to the perfect 'purr' of the Rolls Royce Merlin ...
Watch this full screen.
Click on the link below:

The German http://player.vimeo.com/video/31202906?autoplay=1

[Bundy]

AWESOME TS!

Loved the story about the beer kegs too

[Steve_SP]

Great story which I had forgotten - thanks for reminding me of it.

In more modern recent times the modern German Luftwaffe ran into some trouble when it was discovered two of their crew were making inappropriate use of a Tornado.

After a period of time it was noted that one particular crew would often choose to fly to a Norwegian airbase on a Friday, stay over the weekend and return on Monday - why this pattern of always going to the same base up in Norway. Eventually German military police decided to meet them upon their next return - the underwing fuel tanks were checked and found to contain fresh wild salmon - lots of then wrapped and packed with ice - seems the crew and some of their ground crew colleagues had a lucrative sideline going on - they were charged with inappropriate use of military equipment - that was the end of their military flying careers. I think this was sometime in the1990s.


Cheers


Steve

[Tailspin]

Now that is not a nice way to loose your wings.

[vernon11]

There must be many such stories flying around.
Vernon.

[Tailspin]

I have a small video clip i will try to load about a Pilot.

It is bad quality but damn i pi$$ed myself Laughing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzAXb7qCCAo